Aamodt, 34, steals away with 3rd super-G gold

SESTRIERE, Italy — Almost three years ago, thieves broke into Finn Aamodt's home in Oslo and stole the 19 Olympic and world championship medals his son, Kjetil Andre, had left there for safekeeping.

"He says they were stolen," Aamodt said. "The next week he had a Porsche."

Aamodt, 34, could afford to joke after he started to build a new collection with an unexpected gold in Saturday's super-giant slalom.

"I won't give this one to my father," he said.

Aamodt became the oldest Olympic alpine ski champion only six days after a knee injury in the downhill threatened to end his Olympic career prematurely.

"He brought out the tiger," said teammate Aksel Svindal, who finished fifth.

Oldest champion is one of many distinctions for Aamodt, whose first of eight Olympic medals was a super-G gold in 1992. He has won three of the last five Olympic super-G races, including two straight.

"He almost blew his knee out in the downhill," said an awed Scott Macartney, whose seventh place was the best U.S. finish. "To come back and ski the way he did is unbelievable. He has more medals in the Olympics and world championships than some people have skied races."

Aamodt's eight medals are an Olympic alpine ski record. So is his having won medals 14 years apart. So is his having won medals in four Winter Games.

"He steps up at the right time, every time," veteran U.S. skier Daron Rahlves said.

Aamodt came into the Olympics without a World Cup victory in the last three years. After finishing fourth in the downhill Feb. 12, Aamodt had to pass up a chance to defend his combined title because of the sore knee. He took it easy for most of the last week.

"I have been just skiing on a kid's course," Aamodt said.

His continued ability to derive a child's pleasure from the sport is what has allowed Aamodt to remain at the top for nearly 15 years, with no plans for retirement.

"The challenge is to keep the motivation going during tough training periods," he said. "I think I have skied in 440 World Cup races, and every year it's the same thing. [But] the feeling you get from finishing a ski race, whether you are first or fourth, is something you want to have again and again."